Old Omaha Community Playhouse at 40th & Davenport

8.5" x 11" glossy photograph of the first Omaha Community Playhouse, located at 40th and Davenport. This photo was possibly taken in 1959. "The Omaha Community Playhouse, 'The Diary of Anne Frank,' May 29-June 14" can be seen on the sign at the front of the photo.

Built in 1928, in only 28 days, this building was the first Omaha Community Playhouse. The land upon which it was built was a cow pasture, owned and donated by Dorothy Brando's friend Sarah Joslyn, under what was supposed to be only a three-year temporary permit. The first play performed here was "Aren't We All", opening on October 30, 1928. A unique design element was that there was no backstage area for actors. Actors had to go outside to get from one side of the stage to the other. The interior decor was 'art deco'. The building burned in 1959.